Contraangle attachment for dental handpieces



July 24, 1928. 1,678,096

L. B. ANDREsr-:N

CONTRA ANGLE ATTACHMENT FOR DENTAL VHANDPIECES Filed March 2s, 1925 l 2 sneqts-sheez 1 July 24, 192s.

` L. B. ANDRESEN CONTRA ANGLE ATTACHMENT FOR DENTAL HANDPIECES Filed March 26, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 f/v VEN TOR [fn/Av TZ E. iNDREJf/v F/G-f/ -fdf Patented July 24, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES LAURITZ B. ANDBESEN, F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO M. F. PATTERSON DENTAL SUPPLY CQ., OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CONTRAANGLE ATTACHMENT FOR DENTAL IIANDIPIECES.

Application filed March 26, 1925.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in angle attachments for dental hand pieces, and more particularly to improvements in such attachments commonly known as contra-angle heads which have the tool supporting end thereoil oiset from' the axis of the dental hand piece when mounted thereon.

An object of the invention is to provide a contra-angle attachment having the toolsupporting head thereof mounted for rotary adjustment thereon so that the tool may be operated at different angles.

A 'further and more specific object of the invent-ion is to provide such an attachment having the head portion thereof adjustably secured to its supporting means by means ot' a threaded sleeve which when rotated in one direction will release the head so that it may be adjusted to one of its positions, and when the sleeve is rotated in the opposite direction, the head will be iirm'ly secured to its supporting means.

A further and more specific object is to provide an adjustable contra-angle attach ment of simple and inexpensive construction which may readily and conveniently be attached to an ordinary dental hand piece.

The particular object of the invention therefore is to provide an improved contraangle attachment for dental hand pieces.

Other objects of the invention will appear Yfrom the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the objects of the invention, lout it is to be understood that the invention is not coniined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow:

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved head;

Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 2 showing the preferred manner of connecting the head to its supporting` means.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view showing the head released from its supporting means so that it may be rotated or adjusted relative thereto;

Serial No. 18,492.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure 3, showing in dotted lines the head adjusted to a horizontal position;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6 6 of Figure Il showing the clutch device provided for preventing the head from relatively rotating on its supporting means when in locked adjusted positions;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a moditied form ot contra-angle head;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 8 8 oi Figure 7 to show the means provided for securing the tool to the head;

Figure 9 is a partial sectional view showing the modified means for securing the head in its adjusted positions;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view on the line 10 10 of Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is an end view of the head showing in dotted lines the various positions to which the head may be adjusted.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown there is illustrated a contra-angle attachn'ient or head comprising a tubular member 12 to which the usual shell 13 is secured by means of threads 14. rThe usual linger grip 15 is provided on a portion of the shell 13 for the convenience of the operator in handling the instrument. A shaft 16 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings (not shown) provided in the shell 13. A pinion 17 is terminally mounted on the shaft 16 and is adapted to mesh with a similar pinion 18 mounted on a short shaft 19 which is rotatably mounted in a sleeve 21 having one end inserted into and secured to the tubular member 12 by means ot a set screw 22 as shown in Figure The opposite end of the sleeve 21 is adapted to be inserted or mounted in a bore 23 provided in the cylindrical end-portion 24 of the tool supporting head 25.

The sleeve 21 is provided with an enlarged central portion 26 having axial grooves 27 cut therein and adapted to receive lugs or teeth 28 provided on the end of the hollow or tubular member 12 as particularly shown in Figures t and 6. The end of the member 12 is also provided with suitable threads 29 adapted to receive one end of a knurled coupling sleeve 31, as shown in Figures 3 and t. The opposite end of the coupling sleeve 31 is also threaded to receive the threads 32 provided on the cylindrical endportion 24 of the head The end-portion 24 of the head is also preferably provided with spaced lugs or teeth which in like manner are adapted to be received in the elongated grooves or recesses provided in the enlarged central portion 26 of the sleeve 21, thereby to prevent the head from relative rotation on the sleeve when in locked adjusted position. By reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that the threads 29 and are cut left and right handed, that is the threads 29 are cut left handed while the threads are cut right handed so that when the coupling sleeve 31 is rotated in one direction, the head will be axially moved upon the sleeve 21 until the. teeth 33 are moved into locking engagement with the grooves or recesses 27 in the central portion of the sleeve 21. Then it is desired to adjust the position of the head with relation to the sleeve and tubular member 12, the coupling sleeve will be rotated in the opposite. direction thereby outwardly moving the head away from the enlarged portion 26 of the .sleeve 21 until the teeth are moved out of engagement with the recesses 27, after which the head may conveniently be rotated to one of its adjusted positions.

The usual burr tube 34 is shown mounted in the head 25 and functions to provide a. supporting means for the tool 35, when mounted therein as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The upper end of the head 25 is also preferably slotted to receive the burr latch 36 which is pivotally mounted upon a shouldered stud 37 received in a threaded aperture in the head. The latch 36 functions to retain the tool or burr 36 in its operative position within the burr tube 34.

Means are also provided in this novel contra-angle attachn'ient or head for preventing the head 25 from accidentally becoming detached from the sleeve 21 and therefore the tubular supporting member 12 when be.- ing adjusted. Such means preferably consists in providing a semi-annular groove 38 in the end of the sleeve 21 adjacent the head 25. This semi-annular groove is adapted to receive the lower terminal 39 of the shouldered stud 37 as particularly shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The width of the groove 38 is such that when the head 25 is outwardly moved to the position shown in Figure 4, the terminal 39 of the screw 37 will engage the outer wall of the grooveV and thereby limit the outward movement of the head. The terminal 39 of the screw 37 therefore functions as a means for limiting the outward movement of the head when being released from the central grooved portion 26 of the sleeve 21` for relative movement thereon to one of its adjusted positions. The width of the groove 38 is therefore such that when the terminal 39 engages the outer wall thereof, the teeth 33 on the threaded end portion 24 of the head will be out of locking engagement with the central grooved portion 26 of the sleeve 21 after which it may be selectively rotated to one of its adjusted positions.

The semi-annular groove 38 also functions to provide a means for limiting the amount of rotation of the head 25 upon the sleeve 21 as is clearly shown in Figure 5. In this figure, it will be noted that when the head is rotated, to the position shown in dotted lines, the terminal 39 of the stud 37 will engage one end of the groove 38 thereby limiting the amount of rotation of the head. Likewise, if the head is rotated in the opposite direction, the terminal 39 will engage the other end of the groove 38 thereby limiting the relative amount of rotation of the head upon the sleeve 21 to substantially a half revolution. 1f desired, however, the grooves 38 may be formed so as to encircle the sleeve 21 in which case the head 25 may be rotated or adjusted a oomplete revolution upon the sleeve 21. This, however, has been found unnecessary in practical operation. By this novel stop arrangement, it will be noted that the head 25 can not accidentally become detached from its supporting means when being adjusted from one position to another.

Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 show a modified construction wherein the means provided for adjustably securing the head 25 to the sleeve 21 consists of a knurled coupling nut 41 mounted on the sleeve 21 and threaded to receive the threaded end-portion 42 of the head 25 as shown in Figure 9. The nut 41 preferably has an inwardly projecting flange 43 adapted to engage one u side of a notched flange 44 so that when the nut is rotated in one direction, the head 25 will be moved towards the flange 44 and will be securely clamped thereagainst. The fiange 44 is preferably provided with notches 45 adapted to receive correspondingly shaped teeth or lugs 46 which function to prevent the head from rotating upon the sleeve 21 when secured thereto in its adjusted positions.

The head shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 is also provided with a modified form of burr or tool latch. vThis latch consists of a plate 47 slidably mounted in a gap or slot 48 provided in the upper portion of the head as shown in Figures 9 and 11. One end of the plate 47 is provided with an open ended slot 49 adapted to receive the shouldered stud 37. The location of the stud 37 is such that when the plate is inserted in the slot 48 and the stud 37 is mounted in its socket, the edge 51 of the plate 47 will substantially be in constant engagement with the back or inner wall 52 of the slot 48, thereby retaining the plate in its operative position within the slot 48 of the head. An aperture 53 is also provided in the plate 47 adapted to receive the upper end or head 54 of the tool or burr 35 as shown in Figure 3. This aperture 53 is provided with an offset reduced portion 55 which is adapted to be moved into engagement with the neck or annular groove 5G usually provided adjacent the upper end of the burr or tool, thereby to prevent the burr from becoming detached from the head while in operation. Then it is desired to remove the burr from the head, the plate 47 will be outwardly moved from the full line positon shown in Figures 7 and 8, to the full line position shown in Figure 9 in which position it will be noted that the aperture 53 will be in axial alinement with the burr tube 34 so that the burr or tool 35 may readily be removed from the head.

The burr-retaining plate 47 is preferably provided with a depending flange 57 which is preferably knurled to provide a convenient finger grip for shifting or moving the plate'from one position to the other. A lug or extension 58 is also preferably integrally formed on one side of the plate 47 to provide a tension means and also a limit stop for the plate, when outwardly moved to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 8- and full lines Figure 9. Referring to Figure 7, it will be noted that the lug 58 preferably has its outer end portion downwardly bentto provide a detent or stop 59 which is adapted to engage the head when the plate is moved to tool-releasing position as shown in Figure 9. Also by slightly downwardly bending the lug 58 as shown in Figure 7, the lug will be put under a slight tension when the plate is moved to tool-releasing position, thereby providing means for frictionally maintaining the plate 47 in either of its adjusted positions.

The construction of this novel contraangle attachment or head is such that it may readily be used in conjunction with ordinary dental tool handles. Also by means of the right and left handed threaded coupling sleeve 3l, the head 25 may quickly and readily be adjusted from one position to another in a minimum amount of time. The construction of the head is also such that the head may readily and conveniently be removed from the hollow supporting member 12, or if desired, may readily' and conveniently be be taken apart for repairs or cleaning. To disconnect the head from the member l2 and sleeve 21 it is only necessary to remove the shouldered stud 37 after which the shouldered coupling sleeve 3l may be rotated sufciently to allow the head to become detached therefrom, after which it may readily be completely removed from the sleeve. The sleeve 21 carrying the shaft 19 may also be readily removed by simply removing the set screw 22 after which it may be withdrawn from.I the bore in the tubular member l2.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

l. A contra-angle attachment having means for connecting it with a dental handpiece, an angular tool-supporting head mounted for rotary adjustment thereon, means for locking said tool-supporting head in its adjusted position, and means for limiting the rotary and axial movement thereof when in unlocked position.

2. A contra-angle attachment adapted to be connected to a dental hand-piece having an angular tool-supporting head adjustably mounted thereon, and a locking member mounted in threaded engagement with said hand-piece and said tool-supporting head and adapted, when rotated, to lock said head in its adjusted positions.

3. A contra-angle attachment adapted to be connected to a dental hand-piece, a sleeve member mounted in said attachment, an angular tool-supporting head adjustably mounted on said sleeve member, and toothed means on said head adapted to interlockingly engage toothed means on said sleeve member to lock the head against relative rotation thereon when in locked position, the toothed means on said sleeve member being integrally formed therewith.

4. A contra-angle attachment for a dental hand piece having an angular tool-support mg head mounted for rotary adjustment thereon, a threaded extension on said head having spaced lugs thereon cooperating with means to lock said head against rotation, and a threaded coupling sleeve engaging said threaded extension to lock said tool-supporting head in its adjusted positions'.

5. A contra-angle attachment. for a dental hand piece comprising a grip portion having a tubular member mounted therein, an angular tool-supporting head mounted for rotary adjustment on said tubular member, and a coupling sleeve having right and left hand threads mounted to engage similar threads on said grip portion and said toolsupporting head whereby when rotated said head may be locked in its' adjusted positions.

G. A contra-angle attachment for a dental hand piece comprising a grip portion having a tubular member mounted therein, an angular tool-supporting head mounted for rotary adjustment on said tubular member, and a coupling sleeve having right and left hand threads mounted to engage similar threads on said grip portion and said toolsupporting head to lock the latter in its adjusted positions, and means' for limiting the rotary movement of said head upon said tubular member when in unlocked position.

7. A contra-angle attachment for a dental llO hand piece having a sleeve member mounted therein, an angular' tool-supporting head mounted for rotary adjustment on said sleeve member, a portion of said attachment being threaded to receive a coupling member and said tool-supporting head having an ex tension also threaded to be engaged by said coupling member whereby when the latter rotated said tool-supporting head will be moved longitudinally upon said sleeve member, and means for limiting the longitudinal and rotary movement of said head upon said sleeve member when in unlocked position.

8. A contra-angle attachment comprising in combination a grip portion having a sleeve member mounted therein, a tool-supporting head mounted Jfor rotary adjustment on said sleeve member, a threaded extension on said head having interlocking teeth adapted to be received in recesses in said sleeve member to loel said head against relative rotation thereon when in locked position, and a threaded coupling member engaging said threaded extension to lock said head to the sleeve member and adapted to move said head longitudinally upon said sleeve to allow said head to be rotated upon said sleeve to its various adjusted positions.

9. A contra-angle attachment fora dental hand piece, eoniprising an annular clutch member having a cylindrical. extension, a tool-supporting head mounted for rotary movement on said extension, clutch means on said head engageable with said clutch member to prevent rotary movement of the head on lsaid extension and means for locking the head in adjusted positions.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of March, 1925.

LAURITZ B. ANDRESEN. 

